Sectional boiler assembly



Feb. 15, 1949. A. J. GALLAHER SECTIONAL BOILER ASSEMBLY Filed April 27, 1945 FIGZ.

I NVE/YTOR; ANDREW d: GALLAHE/g M1? ATTORNEY Patented Feb. 15, 1949 NITED STATES QFHCE SE G'EIQNAE BOILER ASSEMBLY Andrew Gallaher, StLouis, Mo.

Application, April 27, 1945, Serial No. 590,677

5 Claims.

. This invention relates to improvements in sectional boiler assemblies, and more particularly to an improved and more economical construction of individual sections, and a novel and advantageous arrangement of a plurality thereof to in adjacence for heat-exchange purposes gener-.

all In the construction of boilers, (which may for present purposes be considered as one class of heat exchangers) frequent attempts have heretofore been made in cast iron boilers and sections thereof, to provide for a back-and-forth or zig-zagcourse of travel of the hot gases from which heat is absorbed by water or steam circulated within the boiler or section. Such expedients require particular conformations of cast elements, and introduce expensive and compli cated casting procedures, coring and patterns, and have resulted in a high cost and lack of uniformity in production, and with but an indifierent degree of success in actual usage. The presout invention, accordingly, has as its principal ob iecti-ve, to provide lengthened paths of travel of both heating and heated fluids, particularly in a welded or fabricated boiler element or section, in distinction from cast-cored structures.

A further general and important objective of the pre ent improvements is attained in, provisicns compellinga zig-zag or back-and-forth circulation internally of a boiler, or each section of a plurality thereof in a boiler, and further to corn-pol, by the same structural provisions, a gig-- sag, back-and-forth or reversely curved path of flow oi flame and combustion gases externally of at least one and preferably both sides of a heatabsorbing section or unit.

"Yet another and-highly important objective, is attained in a simplified. structure involving the use of elements within a boiler or section which serve eifectively the combined functions of tie or stay bolts or distance pieces, and fluid baffies internally of the section, such as to compel a substantially lengthened and evenly distributed flow of water or steam in interiorly traversing the section. I

Yet another object is attained in a novel construction of boilersection and a novel assembly of several thereof, which compels a back-andforth orzig zagflow of fluid external of-the sec- 2: tion in eachof two planes mutually at right an! gles to each other, for example, a. zi'gezag flow in a plane lengthwise of-the section of the boiler, and a zig-zag flow between adjacent sections of the boiler andgenerally in a. plane transversely or they sections but externally thereto.

Still further important structural improvements are realized in an improved construction of Welded plate sections, such that identical and adjacent. sections in an assembly thereof may be relatively inverted to result in the lengthened or distributed fluid flow above. mentioned, and such that any individual section may be removed or replaced without. necessarily disturbing any other section.

A still further important object is attained in an improved welded-plate boiler-section which, of itself, is or may be formed entirely of planar elewithont shaping other "than cutting to fixed and easily predetermined dimensions, and.

without elaborate special tooling or equipment; an improved header construction in a multiple section boiler, and an improved and more permanent arrangement for mounting and supporting external insulation in adjacence to heated boiler surfaces.

- The foregoing'and numerous other objects will more clearly appear from the following detailed description of a preferred, embodiment of the invention,particularly when considered in connec- 'tion with the accompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. l is a vertical, transverse. sectional elevation in which certain of the elementsv are broken away for clearness, other parts shown in section T to reveal internal construction, and other acces- 2. steam boilers or forhot water circulating systems, may be manufactured in a variety of sizes and capacities, the single illustrative exam-- ple selected shows a steam boiler in which a relati-ve high water level-is ,maintained, and in which 1 the elements; of the boiler and sections are fabricated substantially throughoutof sheet materials such as boiler plate and the like, cut as by suitab le templates, and welded by usual flame or arc welding equipment not necessarilyhere to be de- 3 tailed, these processes per se being well known in the art.

Briefly to describe for completeness, the assembly as a whole, this includes a hollow base structure generally indicated at In which may be supported as by a concrete base or floor, or otherwise as desired, and which in turn serves as the primary support for a plurality of sections I I hereinafter described in more detail. The base Ill is preferably a fluid containing base, the spaces within which are in communication with the sections, suitable connections being indicated at I2 and I3. In the example shown, containing five sections which are or may be all of identical construction, the sections are cross-connected through a lower header enerally indicated at M and an upper header generally indicated at 15. Mounted above and suitably supported either on or independently of the assembly of sections, is a steam drum I8, between the header I and the drum being interposed a riser pipe I], a downfiow pipe or conduit 20 serving to interconnect the lower portion of drum I ii and the lower header M. Still a further connection 2! is preferably employed from the upper portion of the drum I5, thence extending downwardly to an adjacent connection I3 (Fig. 1). Such connection, communicating with adjacent section I I, also establishes communication between line H and header I4. In the line 2| is advantageously disposed a water gauge 22 with a sight glass 23 and try-cocks 24.

There has been omitted from. the drawing any showing of burners, grates, or other structure indicating applicability to any specific fuel, since the boiler is adapted for gas firing, use with an oil burner or may be provided with grates for solid fuel combustion if desired, the selection of fuel being a matter of choice. Similarly, such elements as outside enclosing portions have been at least in part omitted, since apart from certain fastening and insulation advantages later to be described, the type of boiler enclosure may we a matter of choice.

Referring first briefly to the base II), this includes a plurality of vertical wall elements 25 and 26, a rear wall structure 27 and, as illus trated, a pair of horizontal, depthwise extending I-bar supports 39. Welded into permanent assembly in certain of the compartments of the base, are a plurality of horizontal ballie plates 3i which are suitably spaced from each other, and optionally disposed in vertical rows in which the corresponding plates are somewhat staggered after the manner of the baffle plates of the sections H later to be described. It will be seen that the spaced walls 25-25 of the base terminate upwardly in supporting plates 32, forming flat planar surfaces for the support of the sections I I which may bear directly thereon as shown.

Proceeding now to a description of the sections and their assembly, each thereof is preferably of a narrow, rectangular, box-like form constituting a fluid-tight enclosure, and is normally disposed vertically in assembly with adjacent sections in spaced relation as hereinafter described, so as to provide a substantial. space for travel of flame and hot gases between adjacent sections. Each of the sections consists of a pair of opposite, parallel, similar, planar side plates 33 and 34. These may conveniently be formed of boiler plate, for example, but without restriction, of /4"-%" gauge which may also be employed for others of the planar elements of the fabricated structures. A narrow planar top piece 35, and a similar bottom element 36, together with similar end plates 3? and 38 are all welded together in fluid tight relation along the lines or zones of their juncture, thus serving to complete the enclosure of the chamber within the section. In at least one of the end plates 37 and 38, are provided two ports, one near the upper and the other near the lower end of the section, the ports being of a somewhat flattened form. i hese are shown at it near the top, and "it near the bottom of end plate 3'! of the section. These ports serve, as will appear, for communication with the head-- ers Id and I5.

Both headers M and 15, since they are or may be similar in construction, ma 1 adequately be described by reference to the upper header I5 which, as will appear from Figs. 1 and 2, is built up of a plurality of special I fittings 42. Each such fitting includes a through-passage-forming portion of substantial diameter provided at its. ends with flanges l3 suitably apertured for the reception of securement bolts 46, there being, as may be desired, a suitable gasket or packing material (not shown) between adjacent flanges. A branch-passage-forming portion 45 extends at substantially a right angle but somewhat downwardly below or upwardly from the axis of the major portion of the fitting. As will best appear from Fig. 2, the branches 45 are welded as at header fittings, corresponds substantially to the the center spacing of the I fittings will conform substantially to the spacing of vertical median planes of the several sections.

Proceeding now to a description of the construction and arrangement of the bafi'ie plates, in each of, and as extended between the several sections in an assembly of a plurality thereof, it is a preference prior to welding up the elements of each section I! to provide in each of the side walls or plates 33 and 34 a series of rectangular apertures conforming fairly closely in area to the cross sectional area of one of the baffles or bafile plate elements 50. The locations of certain of the rectangular apertures are indicated at 5| (Fig. 3), and are arranged in corresponding number and in registration, in the opposite side walls. plates of each section, and preferably extending an appreciable distance laterally of each side plate, hence of each section, each of the several bafile plates 50 includes an internal stay, bridging and bafiie portion which lies cross-wise of the section and serves structurally to tie together its side walls, preventing bulging, spreading, warping and either convergence or diver gence. Each of the plates is by preference of an overall length, hence of a horizontal extent, at least equal to twice the thickness or internal cross dimension of the section, so that there projects laterally of each side face of the section a substantial length of the bafile plate. These extensions or extended plates, as will now appear, serve the dual purposes of augmenting heat-absorbing surface and constituting a bafiling arrangement for the flame and hot gas proceeding in a generally upwardly direction between At least of a length to bridge the side the sections, In the drawing, these externally protruding, horizontal plate-like portions preferably at substantially a right angle to the adjacent section, wall, and are indicated .atfii. It: will; now have appeared as a preference in fabricating each of the sections, and assuming the opposite side walls to have been suitably apertm'ed, first to dispose the baffles or bridge plates through the opposite apertures of the. side walls, then in the. course of welding upeach section, to complete the assembly of the: battles by external welding in the zones '53.

The arrangement. of bafiles as shown in the sections. and assembly is particularly advantage ousfor reasons which will be discussed. It will be noted, :as from Figs. 2 and 3, that. the baffles are arranged in vertical rows: in each section, those of each row being evenly vertically spaced, but spaced difi'erently in respect .to top and bot tom of the section, with the result that correspending bafli'es of adjacent. vertical rows: are relatively staggered. it will further be notedthat in each section. the bellies of each row extend horizontally over to those of the adjacent row,

thus compelling a distinct baclr and-forth or zig-zag pattern of generally upward fluid. flow,

sayzof water, as the heated fluid moves from bothorizontal median through each section, that adjacent sections may bc'relatively inverted, as is done .in assembly, with the result of staggering the bailies of the rows which lie in adjacence in the assembly. This arrangement best appears from 1, In Fig. 1, in which the assembly is viewed endwise of the sections, it will appear thatthestaggered arrangement of baffles in cor responding and adjacent vertical rows of ad jacent sections, is such that the flow of hot gases from bottom to top of the interscctional spaces is given adistinctly zig-zag trend in a vertical plane transverse of the several sections. It will now have appeared from the earlier description of the vbafiies on each individual section, that to the extent the gases tend to traverse the intersectional spaces in a direction from end to end of the sections, there will be imparted thereto a similar zig-zag flow. Since the same arrangement of bailles prevails internally of each section, it will now have appeared that the same zig-zag trend of flow is imparted to the water or other fluid internally of each section, all with obvious efiect in augmenting length of flow of both fluids, and of effectively increasing heatabsorbing or heat-transferring area and effectiveness.

There has been omitted from the present drawing, in zones above the sections and upper header, any illustration of conduits for flue gases and fiue connections. These are or may be conventional, and of themselves form no part of the present inprovements.

The manner of erecting and assembling the various components of the boiler is believed to have appeared fully from the description of its parts, it being noted that suitable fastening means consisting of hook bolts, and other expedients of this type may be employed where desired. Similarly, it is felt that no further de scription is necessary in addition to that given in connection with description of. parts and reason for design, to. illustrate theoperation- It is usually desirable'that the boiler assembl be provided with suitable external closure on finishing members- These may conveniently be. in the form. of planar or:suhstantially pl'anarsidc and end sheet metal-elements. as indicated for example, by two such elements; .54 and ,55.

A further improvement results from. the provision. or the. externally projecting portions .52 oi the *bafllesifl, in that these serve greatlyzto facilitate: the application of. external insulation materialsto the :sldes,..back and other surfaces of a' boiler: or section, It will appear, for example from .Fig. .1, that the portions 52 on the. outside Nevertheless such; materials ordinarily require reinforcement of-various-wire, .wire'mesh or other types :in order to retain-themdependablyinrplace. All such makeshift, anchoring expedients areobviated by the present improvements. 'The relatively closely spaced protruding plates .52 constitutc for this purpose, and as Willreadily :appearfrom thedrawings, -a, vertically spaced series of cell-like spaces between the bafiles or shelves 52-. Thisarrangement serves admirably .of itself,

to :rctain insulation introduced .tothese spaces,

and only. slightly compressed or packed therein. Asa means of assuring retentionof the insulation in place,- some of the-protruding baflle ends 52 are provided with a flush. angle member 56 provided with a horizontal aperture 57' whichserves .to receive ,thethreaded .end .of a fastening screw 58 which projects through suitable apertures (not shown) in each of several locations in the outside closure plates 54 and .55, It is suggested that,

' say at. eaohside: of the boiler, five such zones-of securement be provided, one each in each upper and lower corner region, and one substantially centrally located inthe cover .or closure 54 or 55.

In applying and retaining theupulp insulation material by this expedient, each of the spaces between the several superposed baifles is filled with the pulp material, care being taken to clear the screw apertures of any pulp, following which the closures are applied with screws 58 in place,

" and the screws threaded up.

It will have appeared that the various features of present structural improvement serve fully to attain each and all of the objects hereinabove specifically stated, and numerous others referred to and implied from the description. Although the invention has been described, for complete- 11655, by making detailed reference to a presently preferred embodiment, the detail of description is to be understood solely as illustrative, and not as limiting the possibilities of the invention, numerous variants being possible within thescope and spirit of the claims hereunto appended.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a boiler assembly, a plurality of heat-absorbing sections each of box-like construction, and characterized by opposite substantially vertical and planar side walls, a plurality of external baifle plates carried by each of the sections, and arranged substantially normal to the adjacent side wall thereof, the adjacent sections being lat Such materials as mag erally spaced from each'other to provide a space for flame and gas travel ther'ebetween, the external battles on a glvenside of each section being arranged in vertical rows, those of each row being evenly vertically spaced and staggered in height, in the section, relative to adjacent vertical rows of the baflles, the group of baffles of each vertical row being dissimilarly spaced from top and bottom of the section whereby to enable, upon inversion of the section, a difierent baflle location in assembly, whereby the path of travel of name and gases in traversing intersectional spaces, iscompelled to assume a zig-zag course; the assembly including upper and. lower headers each having a connection with one of the sections at a constant distance from a horizontal median through the section, whereby to enable relative inversion of the sections with constant location of header connections.

2. The combination and arrangement of elements as set forth by claim 1, but further characterized in that the plates are arranged on the side of-eachsection in a plurality of vertical rows,

and in: such manner that the bafile plates in adjacentrows on a given side of each section are relatively staggered, and such that those plates of any vertical row are similarly staggered with respect to the confronting row of plates on the adjac'ent section.

3. In a sectional boiler, a plurality of sections each including a box-like body characterized by substantially planar side wall elements and each section including a plurality of planar baffle plates, each extending through and laterally beyond each side of the sectiomthe baffle plates being arranged in Vertical rows in each section with adjacent such rows staggered in such mannerythat adjacent sections may be relatively inverted, and so present a corresponding arrangement of bafiles in adjacent sections, but in vertically. spaced relation, wherebyto provide a zigzag flame path of substantial width extending pair of header elements external to each section,

and providing separable connections enabling introduction and removal of each section, separately from other sections.

4. The combination and arrangement of elements as recited by claim 3, but further characterized in thatthe bafile plates are arranged in both vertical rows and horizontal rows, each bafile plate extending through and laterally be-,v

yond each planar side of the section, with the bafile plates in relatively staggered vertical rows internally of the section, and in .relatively staggered, vertical rows externally of the section.

5. A sectional boiler assembly including a plurality of individually removable box-like sheet metal sections, eachof narrow rectangular form, each provided with internal and external baflles bridging and extending laterally beyond the side walls of the sections, and a pair of headers, each header being common to the assembly of sec+- tions constituting the boiler, each header being constructed of alinear series of T-fittings, the

through passages of, which are provided with bolted flanges, and each fitting including a branch passage welded to an apertured portion of the end wall of the section, the length of each T fitting approximating the over-all depth of the section including external baffles, andthe-arrangement of fittings being such that upon removal of the bolted connections to and from each such fitting, the individual section and connected portion of the header may be removed from and introduced to the assembly as a unit without disturbing any other section of the assembly.

ANDREW J. GALLAHER. I

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 70,388 Ashcroft Nov. 5, 1867 414,806 Gillett Nov. 12, 1889 529,805 Poggendorf Nov. 27, 1894 866,235 Story Sept. 17,1907 1,085,210 Kitchen .a Jan. 27, 1914 1,228,378 Brown May 29, 1917, 1,648,511 Solomiac Nov. 8, 1927 1,857,471 Morley et al May 16, 1932 2,270,446 Hunter et al. Jan'l 20, 1942 FOREIGN PATENTS Nu mber Country Date 488,591 Great Britain Mar. 22, 1938 

